Transforming lives through philanthropy at Canada's engaged university
Coming to SFU: an innovative new hub for the arts
SFU will be home to the Marianne and Edward Gibson Art Museum, a new architectural flagship for Burnaby campus.
Engaging visitors of all ages and backgrounds, the museum is made possible by the tremendous generosity of Marianne and Edward Gibson and other philanthropic leaders in our community. Housing the dynamic and growing SFU Art Collection, it will feature works from across the region many call British Columbia, and the diverse people who make art in response to this place.
Designed by award-winning Canadian firm, Hariri Pontarini Architects, this visual arts hub will also reflect SFU’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Situated beside Strand Hall and adjacent to the new First Peoples Gathering House, the museum will be part of a vibrant new cultural precinct at SFU, just steps away from the future Burnaby Mountain Gondola.
With abundant opportunities for experiential learning, collaboration, and knowledge sharing, the museum will enrich the lives of countless people throughout our community.
Museum visitors can expect to encounter a broad scope of programming, including: exhibitions by regional, Canadian and international artists, dynamic screenings, talks, tours, and performances; artist residencies and art-making workshops, publications and partnered projects.
SFU students can take seminars with artists and work alongside them to mount exhibitions; K-12 teachers, and teachers-in-training can bring their classes to the museum, or bring artists into the classroom and access resources to develop their curriculum. The opportunities for visitors to make art and learn through artistic processes in the museum’s outdoor courtyard are also limitless.
We cannot wait to share more as the project moves ahead.
Visionary leadership
A landmark gift from the Marianne and Edward Gibson Trust in 2018 has allowed SFU to embark on the construction of this world-class art museum. Marianne and her late husband Dr. Edward Gibson, a charter faculty member and long-time director of the SFU Gallery, shared the belief in art’s power to reflect the world and transform lives. Devoted to students, ideas, and the evolving culture and landscape of B.C., Edward boldly envisioned developing an art museum that educates and inspires the community.
